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They began to compare notes in a low voice, and at length Mildmay determined to run the risk of striking a match for a moment to ascertain the time. This he did, von Schalckenberg assisting him to observe such precautions as should insure the tiny, momentary flame against being seen. Mildmay's watch declared the hour to be a quarter to six, British time.
But there was no time to be lost, for even as von Schalckenberg whispered to Mildmay, "You take him!" the beast crouched in preparation for a spring.
Their leader, an exceedingly fine and handsome animal, was a yard or two in advance of the rest, and, with arching neck and head carried somewhat low, he came on, peering alertly right and left, evidently on the watch for possible enemies. "We must get a pair two pairs if we can," murmured von Schalckenberg in a low tone, rendered hoarse by excitement and anxiety.
Sir Reginald therefore wrote two letters one to the colonel, which he left in the hall letter-rack, and one to Captain Mildmay, which he posted setting forth the particulars of his projected cruise, together with the information that von Schalckenberg had consented to make one of the party; and concluding with a cordial invitation to the individual addressed to join the expedition as a guest.
With the arrival of the professor at this conclusion, and his admission thereof, the party at once turned back and began to retrace their steps; the difficulty with the torches increasing as they went. They struggled on for a considerable time, however, von Schalckenberg leading the way, until at length they came to a small open space in the centre of which grew an enormous mahogany tree.
An inarticulate growl answered from the other side, whereupon the servant flung open the door, motioned von Schalckenberg to enter, and promptly closed the portal behind him.
These facts ascertained, von Schalckenberg cast his glance over the scene spread out beneath him, in order to ascertain, if possible, his position. The morning was beautifully clear, the atmosphere being entirely destitute of clouds, and the only obstacle to uninterrupted vision was a thick mist which overspread the earth outstretched below him like an immense map.
He finished with a shrug of the shoulders so expressive that there was not the slightest need for words to explain his meaning. "We must bring the professor to see this," he continued after a slight pause. "And look here, Elphinstone if you wish to intensely gratify the worthy man, call this geyser after him `The Von Schalckenberg Geyser' eh? It doesn't sound half bad, does it?"
And forthwith von Schalckenberg plunged animatedly into a description of the wonderful animals, followed by a recital of the exciting circumstances under which they had first been seen. Shortly after this the three men rejoined the rest of the party at the other end of the deck, Sir Reginald remarking "Good friends all, I have a little bit of pleasant news for you.
The occupants of the room on the evening in question were four in number. One, a German, known as the Professor Heinrich von Schalckenberg, was half buried in the recesses of a huge arm-chair, from the depths of which he perused the pages of the Science Monthly, smoking meanwhile a pipe with a huge elaborately carved meerschaum bowl and a long cherry-wood stem.
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